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Best Children's ESL Books

The Giving Tree
And don't miss Runny Babbit Returns , the new book from Shel Silverstein! In Shel Silverstein's popular tale of few words and simple line drawings, a tree starts out as a leafy playground, shade provider, and apple bearer for a rambunctious little boy. At this point in the story, the double-page spread shows a pathetic solitary stump, poignantly cut down to the heart the boy once carved into the tree as a child that said "M.E. When there's nothing left of her, the boy returns again as an old man, needing a quiet place to sit and rest. (All ages) --Karin Snelson “If you’re looking for a children’s book that teaches generosity or unselfishness, most people will point you right to The Giving Tree , Shel Silverstein’s lovely story of a tree that will do anything for the boy it loves—and for good reason.
Reviews
"All that I can honestly say about this book, what some people say is "controversial" is it ; touches on feelings. teaches about selfishness. teaches about selflessness. teaches about caring. teaches about giving. this book really tugs at all the emotions everyone goes through one time or another. It has turned into a discussion book for all my grandkids. The book is a hardback & comes with a cover resembling the cover of the book."
"One of my favorite books with a great lesson for children on giving/taking and appreciation."
"Must have for all children."
"Best childhood book ever - adults should re-read every year as well."
"Great story for my 6 year old who reads voraciously.."
"Just like I remebered!"
"One of my favorite books ever."
"Every child should hear and read the story of The Giving Tree as a tool for understanding the goodness and usefulness of nature and all of life’s gifts."
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Rise and Shine)
This classic story of a famished caterpillar who eats his way through a week of various foods makes the perfect addition to your child's digital library, easily available to read again and again. Put 42 pieces together to assemble Eric Carle's much-loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar jigsaw puzzle from Mudpuppy.
Reviews
"The different sized pages in the middle of the book (after the caterpillar pops out of his egg on Sunday morning) showing different foods with holes punched in the centers to indicate where he's nibbled through them are darling - each page is thick enough that I think I'm going to cut a caterpillar-sized piece of green pipecleaner to give him so he can watch his very own caterpillar making its way through the one red apple he eats on Monday, two green pears on Tuesday, three purple plums on Wednesday, four red strawberries on Thursday, five bright orange oranges on Friday, and then the variety of multi-colored foods (probably not a caterpillar's scientifically accurate diet, but fun!)."
"The book itself is cute and perfect to read for babies and toddlers (repetition teaching days of the week, numbers 1-7, fruits and other foods, and life cycle). It is a solid, sturdy, proper board book with smooth finished edges that I feel comfortable having a baby touch (or even if they suck on it before you notice and pull it out of their mouth). The plush toy is also very well constructed with no loose seems and withstands gentle tugging on the ears, legs, and colored fringy hairs (of course you always need be careful with babies and choking on anything and not let them suck on this more than a moment or unsupervised)."
"She is rapt through reading after reading, and I still like it myself."
"Delightful story, beautiful art, clever little "bite" holes in the pages, and even a gentle lesson about caterpillars and butterflies."
"Another wonderful must have children's book!"
"Our daughter loved this book many years ago, and kids still love it."
"All times favorite."
"Went great with the big stuffed caterpillar I got my niece for the holidays!!!"
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Island of the Blue Dolphins
It is a romantic adventure filled with drama and heartache, for not only was mere subsistence on so desolate a spot a near miracle, but Karana had to contend with the ferocious pack of wild dogs that had killed her younger brother, constantly guard against the Aleutian sea otter hunters, and maintain a precarious food supply. Isolated on the island for eighteen years, Karana forages for food, builds weapons to fight predators, clothes herself in a cormorant feathered skirt, and finds strength and peace in her seclusion. Amazon Exclusive: A Letter from Lois Lowry on Writing the Introduction to Island of the Blue Dolphins, 50th Anniversary Edition. Dear Amazon readers, Last summer, when I was asked to write an introduction to a new edition of Island of the Blue Dolphins , my mind went back in time to the 1960s, when my children were young and it was one of their best-loved books. I was in New York to attend a convention of the American Library Association, and Scott O'Dell's publisher, Houghton Mifflin, was honoring him at a reception being held at the St. Regis Hotel. When I got in my hotel elevator, a benign-looking older couple, probably tourists from the Midwest, were already standing inside, and I explained my predicament politely and asked if they could give me a hand. We parted company in the lobby of my hotel and off I went to the St. Regis, where I milled around and chatted with countless people, sipped wine, and waited for the guest of honor, Scott O'Dell, to be introduced. Lois Lowry "A haunting and unusual story based on the fact that in the early 1800s an Indian girl spent eighteen years alone on a rocky island far off the coast of California . School Library Journal, Starred. "O'Dell tells the miraculous story of how Karana forages on land and in the ocean, clothes herself (in a green-cormorant skirt and an otter cape on special occasions), and secures shelter. This beautiful edition of Island of the Blue Dolphins is enriched with 12 full-page watercolor paintings by Ted Lewin, illustrator of more than 100 children's books, including Ali, Child of the Desert. A gripping story of battling wild dogs and sea elephants, this simply told, suspenseful tale of survival is also an uplifting adventure of the spirit."
Reviews
"I remember that I first read it as a child."
"Nice book for young children to develop reading skills."
"Am presently reading this to my grandsons, it has also been on TV."
"Product as advertise and fast shipping."
"A favorite among my daughter and her friends."
"Good read for night time family reading!"
"I liked this book as a kid and my son enjoyed it too."
"Great book for children, quick read for adults."
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Best Children's Fox Books

Pax
From bestselling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes a beautifully wrought, utterly compelling novel about the powerful relationship between a boy and his fox. He strikes out on his own despite the encroaching war, spurred by love, loyalty, and grief, to be reunited with his fox. Pennypacker, author of the exuberant "Clementine" series (Disney-Hyperion) and the charmingly morbid Summer of the Gypsy Moths (HarperCollins, 2012), here displays not only her formidable writing skills and a willingness to stretch her storytelling into increasingly complex narrative forms but also her ability to tackle dark and weighty themes with sensitivity and respect for the child reader. As the protagonists struggle to reunite in a world in the grip of violence and destruction, they each find helpers who assist them on their respective journeys: Peter breaks his foot and is rehabilitated by Vola, a hermit suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, while Pax is taken in by a leash of foxes who teach him the basics of foraging and hunting. Black-and-white drawings by Klassen offer a respite for readers, while adding to the haunting atmosphere.With spare, lyrical prose, Pennypacker manages to infuse this tearjerker with a tender hope, showing that peace and love can require just as much sacrifice as war. “In an exceptionally powerful, if grim story, Pennypacker does a remarkable job of conveying the gritty perspective of a sheltered animal that must instantly learn to live in the wild.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) ).
Reviews
"It's a beautifully written story."
"Targeted at the 8 – 12 year old group, Sara Pennypacker’s latest novel “Pax” is a book that carries universal truths and one that will touch readers of any age. “…distrust is no match for kindness administered consistently and unmeasured …”. Having enlisted in the army, Peter’s father takes his son to live with his grandfather and demands that Peter release “Pax” back into the wild. A broken leg, an encounter with an amputee-veteran whose unnamed war occurred twenty years previously, and a realization – by both Peter and “Pax” – that each must be true to his own nature creates an emotional, poignant story that will touch your heart. Writing in the third person voice, Sara Pennypacker alternates the focus of “Pax” between developments affecting Peter and those in which “Pax” learns what it is to be a fox."
"A truly beautiful book however I think kids should be over 10 prior to reading it."
"Gave this to my great, great nephew who's named Paxton, but we call him Pax."
"Fabulous!"
"Touches upon deep subjects line war, ptsd, reaching a goal despite adversity."
"wonderful story."
"Such a good book!"
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Best Children's Bug & Spider Books

The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Rise and Shine)
This classic story of a famished caterpillar who eats his way through a week of various foods makes the perfect addition to your child's digital library, easily available to read again and again. Put 42 pieces together to assemble Eric Carle's much-loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar jigsaw puzzle from Mudpuppy.
Reviews
"The different sized pages in the middle of the book (after the caterpillar pops out of his egg on Sunday morning) showing different foods with holes punched in the centers to indicate where he's nibbled through them are darling - each page is thick enough that I think I'm going to cut a caterpillar-sized piece of green pipecleaner to give him so he can watch his very own caterpillar making its way through the one red apple he eats on Monday, two green pears on Tuesday, three purple plums on Wednesday, four red strawberries on Thursday, five bright orange oranges on Friday, and then the variety of multi-colored foods (probably not a caterpillar's scientifically accurate diet, but fun!)."
"The book itself is cute and perfect to read for babies and toddlers (repetition teaching days of the week, numbers 1-7, fruits and other foods, and life cycle). It is a solid, sturdy, proper board book with smooth finished edges that I feel comfortable having a baby touch (or even if they suck on it before you notice and pull it out of their mouth). The plush toy is also very well constructed with no loose seems and withstands gentle tugging on the ears, legs, and colored fringy hairs (of course you always need be careful with babies and choking on anything and not let them suck on this more than a moment or unsupervised)."
"She is rapt through reading after reading, and I still like it myself."
"Delightful story, beautiful art, clever little "bite" holes in the pages, and even a gentle lesson about caterpillars and butterflies."
"Another wonderful must have children's book!"
"Our daughter loved this book many years ago, and kids still love it."
"All times favorite."
"Went great with the big stuffed caterpillar I got my niece for the holidays!!!"
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Children's Homelessness & Poverty Books

Esperanza Rising
When their new life is threatened, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances--Mama's life, and her own, depend on it. Told in a lyrical, fairy tale - like style, Ryan's (riding Freedom) robust novel set in 1930 captures a Mexican girl's fall from riches, her immigration to California and her growing awareness of class and ethnic tensions. Readers will be swept up by vivid descriptions of California dust storms or by the police crackdown on a labor strike ("The picket signs lay on the ground, discarded, and like a mass of marbles that had already been hit, the strikers scattered?"). (Oct.). Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. Grade 6-9-Ryan uses the experiences of her own Mexican grandmother as the basis for this compelling story of immigration and assimilation, not only to a new country but also into a different social class. Set against the multiethnic, labor-organizing era of the Depression, the story of Esperanza remaking herself is satisfyingly complete, including dire illness and a difficult romance.
Reviews
"It is great fictionalized story telling based on actual facts. This starts of telling the story of a happy a wealthy kind family who own a vineyard in Mexico."
"This book has an engrossing plot that makes it hard to put down because one wants to find out how things will turn out in the end."
"There are many books and movies out there about young people and their families as they struggle to survive in Mexico and then in California when they decide to cast their lot with the American Dream...Esperanza has everything she could ever want or need on her father's El Rancho de las Rosas near Aguascalientes, Mexico, when he is killed by bandits in 1924."
"Arrived in a timely manner and was as described in product description."
"The author brings to life the story and the human spirit of the characters in such a way that reading the book was almost like watching a movie, or even like being right there in the book, reliving an important part of our nation's history."
"My daughter loved this book I didn’t read it but she told me all about it she says it has its pros and cons and you have to realize how things were before compared to now to understand the book."
"I am doing a project on the Hispanic culture in my Cultural Diversity class, and part of this was reading a book about the culture written by someone within that culture and write a paper about the insights we gained from it."
"My nine year old granddaughter was reading this from her recommended reading list at school."
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Best Children's Dysfunctional Relationships Books

The War that Saved My Life
#1 New York Times Bestseller. Newbery Honor Book. Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award (Middle School) Wall Street Journal Best Children's Books of 2015. New York Public Library's 100 Books for Reading and Sharing. An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War II, from the acclaimed author of Jefferson’s Sons and for fans of Number the Stars . Ada watches the world through the narrow confines of the apartment window, waves to neighbors in the street, and carefully gauges the danger of being beaten during each encounter with her hateful mother. When her mother prepares to ship Jamie out to the countryside with other children being evacuated from London, Ada sneaks out with him. Though Susan is reluctant and insists that she knows nothing about caring for children, she does so diligently and is baffled by the girl's fearful flinching anytime Ada makes a mistake. There is much to like here-Ada's engaging voice, the vivid setting, the humor, the heartbreak, but most of all the tenacious will to survive exhibited by Ada and the villagers who grow to love and accept her.—Brenda Kahn, Tenakill Middle School, Closter, NJ A Newbery Honor Book. Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award (Middle School). Winner of the Josette Frank Award Wall Street Journal Best Children's Books of 2015. New York Public Library's 100 Books for Reading and Sharing. Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books 2015 Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2015 Kirkus Best Books of 2015 Horn Book Fanfare Book 2015. "Achingly lovely . Nuanced and emotionally acute, this vivid tale from the wartime home front will have readers ages 10-14 wincing at Ada's stumbles and rejoicing to the point of tears in her victories. * “Ada's voice is brisk and honest; her dawning realizations are made all the more poignant for their simplicity. Set against a backdrop of war and sacrifice, Ada's personal fight for freedom and ultimate triumph are cause for celebration.”— Kirkus , starred review. * "Proving that her courage and compassion carry far more power than her disability, Ada earns self-respect, emerges a hero, and learns the meaning of home. "— The Horn Book , starred review. "The home-front realities of WWII, as well as Ada’s realistic anger and fear, come to life in Bradley’s affecting and austerely told story, and readers will cheer for steadfast Ada as she triumphs over despair. "I love Ada's bold heart, keen wit, and amazingly fresh point of view. "—Sheila Turnage, author of Newbery Honor book Three Times Lucky. "In Ada's small war lies our large hope that love cannot, will not, be overcome.
Reviews
"Selective in that I studiously avoided any and all works of fiction that might conceivably be considered "depressing". So when I read "The War That Saved My Life" I had to explain to her, at length, that in spite of the premise, cover (again with the kids staring out into nothingness), and time period this isn't the bleak stretch of depressingness it might appear to be. Enormously satisfying and fun to read, Bradley takes a work of historical fiction and gives the whole premise of WWII evacuees a kick in the pants. Born with a twisted foot her mother considers her an abomination and her own personal shame. Escaping to the English countryside, the two are foisted upon a woman named Susan who declares herself to be "not nice" from the start. I may have mentioned it before, but the word that kept coming to mind as I read this book was "satisfying". She has this enormous task of making Ava strong in every possible way after a lifetime of systematic, often horrific, abuse. Honestly it made me want to reread the book several times over, if only to figure out how she managed to display Ada's anger and shock in the face of kindness with such aplomb. Kids who have so little experience with the wider world that they don't know a church from a bank or vice versa. Or, perhaps worse, their inability to comprehend simple everyday objects and ideas will strike readers as funny or something to be mocked. By the same token, child readers can also pity Ada for not understanding stuff that they already do (banks, church, etc.). American born (Indiana, to be specific) she has set her novel in historical England (Kent) where any number of accents might be on display. She could have peppered the book with words that tried to replicate the sounds of Ada's London accent or Susan's Oxford educated one. Because this is a children's book and hope, in whatever form it ultimately takes, is the name of the game. Ms. Bradley understands that and in "The War That Saved My Life" she manages to concoct a real delight out of a story that in less capable hands would have been a painful read."
"Ada learns to trust and love despite her attachment issues caused by her mean biological mother."
"i love this book, it's amazing !"
"Dealing with many sensitive topics it informed and explained the issues and the emotions without being condescending or melodramatic."
"My son, age 9, raves about this book."
"This is a MUST READ book."
"It was beautifully written ... fell in love with the main characters ..."
"My nephew read this in 5th grade and he thought it was a great book."
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Best Baby & Toddler Counting Books

The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Rise and Shine)
This classic story of a famished caterpillar who eats his way through a week of various foods makes the perfect addition to your child's digital library, easily available to read again and again. Put 42 pieces together to assemble Eric Carle's much-loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar jigsaw puzzle from Mudpuppy.
Reviews
"The different sized pages in the middle of the book (after the caterpillar pops out of his egg on Sunday morning) showing different foods with holes punched in the centers to indicate where he's nibbled through them are darling - each page is thick enough that I think I'm going to cut a caterpillar-sized piece of green pipecleaner to give him so he can watch his very own caterpillar making its way through the one red apple he eats on Monday, two green pears on Tuesday, three purple plums on Wednesday, four red strawberries on Thursday, five bright orange oranges on Friday, and then the variety of multi-colored foods (probably not a caterpillar's scientifically accurate diet, but fun!)."
"The book itself is cute and perfect to read for babies and toddlers (repetition teaching days of the week, numbers 1-7, fruits and other foods, and life cycle). It is a solid, sturdy, proper board book with smooth finished edges that I feel comfortable having a baby touch (or even if they suck on it before you notice and pull it out of their mouth). The plush toy is also very well constructed with no loose seems and withstands gentle tugging on the ears, legs, and colored fringy hairs (of course you always need be careful with babies and choking on anything and not let them suck on this more than a moment or unsupervised)."
"She is rapt through reading after reading, and I still like it myself."
"Delightful story, beautiful art, clever little "bite" holes in the pages, and even a gentle lesson about caterpillars and butterflies."
"Another wonderful must have children's book!"
"Our daughter loved this book many years ago, and kids still love it."
"All times favorite."
"Went great with the big stuffed caterpillar I got my niece for the holidays!!!"
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Children's French Books

The Everything Kids' Learning French Book: Fun exercises to help you learn francais (Everything® Kids)
So, you want to learn French but don't know where to start? You'll learn how to: Dawn-Michelle Baude, Ph.D. (Gault, France) is a professor of poetry at the American University in Paris, France, teaching comparative literature.
Reviews
"I got this to supplement my daughter's French that she will be starting soon."
"It's not what I had expected but for a young person learning the language it looks like it would be fun for them."
"Good book for extra French related activities."
"Great tool to help with language acquisition."
"My daughter has a dream of going to France and learning French so this was right up her alley."
"I thought that the book would be a bit thicker, but it is great review for me!"
"I WAS HOPING FOR PRONUNCIATION QUOTES ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT MAKING A MISTAKE."
"Otherwise, I would really only recommend it to people that want to learn French at home, and have never taken any French before."
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Best Children's German Books

Am I small? Bin ich klein?: Children's Picture Book English-German (Bilingual Edition) (World Children's Book 2)
" a fantastic book that has enchanted me"— Amazon Customer Review. "We are in love with this book! [...] As an artist, I love love LOVE the art in this book, I think its not only beautiful, but perfect for children. This Kindle book is a children's picture book - please use a device with a color display to read it This Kindle book features magnification areas - please use the zoom function of your device to magnify the book's text (usually activated by double-tap or double-click, take a look at the help pages of your device or reading app for details) This Kindle book is designed for large displays, e.g. tablets or computers - please use a device with a large display (free Kindle reading apps and Kindle Cloud Reader are available for every major tablet and computer). Tags: World Children's Book, Bilingual Children's Books, Bilingual Books, Emergent Bilingual, Bilingual Education, Foreign Language Learning, ESL, English as a Second Language, ESL for Children, ESL for Kids, ESL Teaching Materials, EFL, English as a Foreign Language, EFL Books, EFL for Children, ELL, English Language Learner, EAL, English as an Additional Language, Children's Picture Book, Dual Language, Foreign Language Study, ESOL, English for Speakers of Other Languages. -- ForeWord Clarion Reviews.
Reviews
"Sadly I didn't read all of the information well enough so you can imagine my surprise when I thought I was ordering a hardcover book but instead received a paper book."
"I think this would be great for kids learning German or learning English."
"My 3 year old is bilingual (German and English) but I am slowly learning German - so we both enjoy this book."
"My kids love this book, and their German-speaking grandparents love that they can read it in German and have my daughter read the English words."
"Very good book for the little ones to start hearing another language if they're not already."
"As a teacher one of the things I love about this book is the fact that it is a total vocabulary lesson for size words (big, small, tiny, huge,etc) in a very cute story."
"I read it several times because it brought back wonderful memories of first learning a different language, It is the kind of book you want to share with others."
"However she is an avid reader and started reading a few German words."
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Best Children's Spanish Books

The Best Learning Spanish 3 in 1 Box Set Learn Spanish In a Week and Become a Fluent Spanish Speaker
***SPECIAL FREE GIFT INSIDE 5 and a Half Hour AUDIO DOWNLOAD for PC***. The ultimate 3 in 1 set to familiarize yourself with the Spanish language, learn the intricacies of the Spanish grammar in a fun way, become a fluent Spanish conversationalist and be completely equipped to visit Spain and enjoy the experience to the fullest.
Reviews
"The kindle version is perfect for me and staying up on my Spanish and learning more as I practice daily."
"I purchased the "Best Learning Spanish 3 in 1 Box Set (Free Audible Inside): Learn Spanish In a Week and Become a Fluent Spanish Speaker" in the Kindle Edition. I purchased the Best Learning Spanish 3 in 1 Box Set (Free Audible Inside): Learn Spanish In a Week and Become a Fluent Spanish Speaker for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review."
"When I come home I go through the book part to repeat what I was already listen to all day. Due to that split of learning it will take me more than just one week to learn it but I'm already able to have a short conversation with my neighbor from Honduras and she seems to understand me :-). I will definitely continue with this set and become a fluent Spanish speaker."
"I ordered this ebook because in the law office I work in there have been times that I cannot communicate with a spanish speaking client, without an interpreter. I choose to go with an audio version because I just learn better hands on than by something just written. I am providing a video to show what I'm talking about with the ease of beginning the program. I did receive this in a promotion at a discount to try the program in exchange for my honest and unbiased review."
"To me, it's more memorization oriented that teaching you the root of the language."
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Best Children's Italian Books

Am I small? Io sono piccola?: Children's Picture Book English-Italian (Bilingual Edition) (World Children's Book 6)
"We are in love with this book! [...] As an artist, I love love LOVE the art in this book, I think its not only beautiful, but perfect for children. This Kindle book is a children's picture book - please use a device with a color display to read it This Kindle book features magnification areas - please use the zoom function of your device to magnify the book's text (usually activated by double-tap or double-click, take a look at the help pages of your device or reading app for details) This Kindle book is designed for large displays, e.g. tablets or computers - please use a device with a large display (free Kindle reading apps and Kindle Cloud Reader are available for every major tablet and computer). Tags: World Children's Book, Bilingual Children's Books, Bilingual Books, Emergent Bilingual, Bilingual Education, Foreign Language Learning, ESL, English as a Second Language, ESL for Children, ESL for Kids, ESL Teaching Materials, EFL, English as a Foreign Language, EFL Books, EFL for Children, ELL, English Language Learner, EAL, English as an Additional Language, Children's Picture Book, Dual Language, Foreign Language Study, ESOL, English for Speakers of Other Languages. -- ForeWord Clarion Reviews.
Reviews
"This book is very basic, and focused pretty much exclusively on 'size' words, but overall it's a great bilingual book for children or learning adults."
"I'm new to Italy and trying to learn along with my two year old."
"Darling book to help one understand differences in size."
"This is a cute children's book and the story is fun."
"A fun little book to practice Italian."
"This book helps the children with a difficult concept- all about perspective as well as introducing the concept in Italian."
"My 2 year old loves when myself or my husband read this book to her."
"I enjoyed reading this as much as my son, great addition to our library."
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Best Children's Portuguese Books

Portuguese Conversation Practice Volume 1: Jack in Rio: Informal Portuguese Conversation for Practice (Portuguese Conversation Practice Jack In Rio) (Portuguese Edition)
Forget boring language drills - Jack in Rio is a series of scripts about a man who travels to Brazil, makes some new friends, sees the sights with them and eventually falls for a local girl.
Reviews
"However, some expressions are a bit odd for people in the Northeast--where I am now--and neither Portuguese-English dictionary I have has all the words, and especially certain expressions, I need to look up."
"Overall I believe this book to be a great guide for people who know a few word of portuguese wishing to converse with the locals and be easily understood."
"basic material for beginner."
"Good basic Brazilian Portuguese conversation."
"A useful book for me, I understand what I'm reading and just have to read over and over to spot the quirks of the language."
"Keep writing more like this, they are fun and easier to understand."
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